Scott’s Run Community
Scott’s Run is a group of thirteen small, unincorporated communities. Located a few miles from Morgantown, WV, this area’s predominant industry in the early twentieth century was coal mining. Scott’s Run became well known nationally during the years of the Great Depression, when photographers and the relief efforts of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt publicized the impoverished conditions faced by the community. The goal of the class was to add to a series of community signs that reflect Scott’s Run’s history.
As a class, we visited Scott’s Run in order to interview the local townsfolk who grew up in the area. Lou Birurakis, Ms. Patty Thomas, and Mary Jane Coulter were kind enough to discuss their childhoods in the community and the historic moments they remember about their past. Lou seemed to recall the most memorable events as he is the historical director of the community.
Understanding the community’s history, two remarkable stories were captured. The first being the Christopher No. 3 mine tragedy and the second was First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit. The posters were then created in Adobe Illustrator. 4’x 3’prints were made and affixed on Masonite board for durability to hang along fencing. People were then able to peruse in order to view and cast votes for their favorites.
